Behavioral Health Clinics

The Behavioral Health Clinics provide services designed to comprehensively meet the overall health and wellness of seriously mentally ill consumers from birth through adulthood with disabilities in social and emotional functioning as well as daily living skills. Individuals are accepted without regard to race, creed, national origin, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. The clinical team works closely with person(s)-served to provide a wide range of services to promote recovery and wellness. These services include, but are not limited to, assessment, evaluation and consultation services; crisis assessment and intervention; individual, family, and group therapy; medication management; case management; health care information and community resource, support, and referrals; Emergency Room Enhancement (ERE) services funded by DMH; and Community Mental Health Treatment (CMHT) and Community Mental Health Liaison (CMHL) services funded by DOC. Family Counseling Center is certified by the Division of Behavioral Health (DBH). All Family Counseling Center’s programs adhere to DBH standards of treatment.

Person(s)-served can meet with a clinical therapist for individual, family, or group therapy. Clinical services are provided directly by program staff to include the following: Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP); Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW); and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). Psychiatry services are routinely scheduled at 2-3 month intervals with urgent appointments available every day, if needed. All psychiatrists are board certified and supervise all work of the psychiatric nurse practitioners. A Physician’s Case Manager (PCM) also provides case management services to person(s)-served receiving medication management services. Intensive Care Coordinators work closely with person(s)-served in need of intense case management services to restore functioning, reduce psychiatric hospitalizations, and maintain stabilization.

Funding Sources for the Behavioral Health Clinics include private healthcare insurance, Purchase of Service (POS) Funds through DBH, Medicaid and self-pay. The ability to pay is based on the sliding scale and the income of the person(s)-served. The fees are determined by family income and number of dependents. If it is determined a person(s)-served has a monthly fee from the sliding scale, the fee is collected upon admission and at the first of each month for the remainder of the time the person(s)-served remains active in treatment services.

Person(s)-served are referred from a variety of sources to include, but not limited to, self and family referrals; juvenile office; court system; Division of Family Services (DFS); Division of Youth Services (DYS); Department of Corrections (DOC); attorneys; hospitals; physicians; community agencies; private practitioners; and other community mental health centers.

Information regarding program structure and services is provided to all person(s)-served, family members, and referral sources upon admission into the program. This information is provided in written form in the program handbook and thoroughly explained at intake. The Scope of Services is also provided to payers and other relevant stakeholders as needed in order to help them understand what the program has to offer and determine whether it will meet the needs of the person(s)-served. Community relations activities also allow for the distribution of program information to the public through printed brochures and speaking engagements.

Summary of Services

Behavioral Health Clinics offer interventions designed to help person(s)-served with chronic and persistent mental health disorders, to reduce psychiatric hospitalizations, and to continue to live within the community. The Behavioral Health Clinics is compliant with applicable state and federal Medicaid requirements. Service delivery models and strategies are based on accepted practice in the field and incorporate current research and evidence-based practice. Services are designed and delivered to support the recovery, health, and well-being of the person(s)-served, to enhance quality of life, to reduce needs and build resiliency, to improve functioning, and support community integration. FCC’s Mental Health Clinics offer the following services:

Assessment, Evaluation and Consultation Services.

Person(s)-served can meet with a clinician for a thorough assessment of strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences. Upon completion of the assessment, the clinical therapist determines level/intensity of care and presents recommendations to the clinical team for review.

Crisis Assessment and Intervention.

All person(s)-served have access to emergency services, either over the phone or face-to-face, seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours per day. MOCARS, our access/ crisis hotline provides this service after hours. On some occasions, it is necessary to access involuntary admissions for person(s)-served if they pose a threat to themselves or others; however, this is utilized as a last resort. A Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) makes the final determination regarding this option and follows the protocol as written.

Individual and Family Therapy.

Person(s)-served can meet with a Clinical Therapist for individual and family therapy (6-8 sessions). Sessions are planned, face to face, goal oriented therapeutic interactions with a qualified staff member in accordance with a person-centered care plan. Throughout the course of treatment, the clinical therapist monitors the person(s)-served and meets with the clinical treatment team regularly to ensure the client is receiving the most effective treatment available.

Group Therapy.

Co-Occurring counseling and group therapy are provided to those identified as having both a substance use diagnosis and a mental health diagnosis. Co-occurring issues are integrated into the person-centered care plan and are provided by qualified personnel. Group Education consists of the presentation of general information and application of the information to participants through group discussion in accordance to the person-centered care plan which is designed to promote recovery and enhance social functioning.

Case Management.

A Physician’s Case Manager (PCM) provides case management services to person(s)-served who are receiving medication management services at Family Counseling Center, Inc.’s Mental Health Clinics. The PCM works closely with the person(s)-served and psychiatrist/PMHNP in the development and maintenance of a person-centered care plan and monitors progress.

Healthcare Information and Community Resource, Support and Referrals.

A Nurse Care Manager (NCM) is available to provide health home services to individuals with certain chronic illnesses. The NCM coordinates care among both primary and specialty medical care services. The NCM also promotes healthy lifestyles and supports person(s)-served in managing their chronic health conditions via education, referrals, and information and handouts.

Medication Management.

Psychiatry services are routinely scheduled at 2-3 month intervals with urgent appointments available every day, if needed. All psychiatrists are board certified and supervise all work of the psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNP). Psychiatrists/PMHNP’s assume the responsibility for the medication aspects of mental health care, including: Psychiatric evaluations, medication management, review of complex cases where physical and mental health issues intersect, organicity, seizure disorders, psychosomatic disorders, and other medical and psychiatric related disorders.

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is an evidenced based practice that combines pharmacological interventions with substance abuse counseling and social support. Although not for everyone, it is an essential part of the comprehensive array of services available to people struggling with addiction to alcohol or other drugs. The LPN/RN at the Clinic delivers the injection as ordered by the psychiatrist.

Medication administration may include arranging appointments with an RN or LPN for injections of psychotropic medications as ordered by the psychiatrist as well as assistance with Patient Assistance programs for free or discounted medications as ordered by the psychiatrist.

Medication administration support may include coordination of medication needs with families, person(s)-served, and/or pharmacies (including the use of indigent drug programs); setting up medication boxes; monitoring medication compliance, person’s vitals, and laboratories ordered by the psychiatrist; and perform metabolic screenings.

Family Counseling Center, Inc. is not a doctor-only facility; therefore, it is our policy the person(s)-served is receiving additional treatment services.

ERE (Emergency Room Enhancement).

Offers term stabilization services for those in crisis by addressing immediate needs, enhancing overall functioning, and reducing psychiatric hospitalizations.

The program also offers intensive case management services. The Intensive Care Coordinator (ICC) coordinates care for the person(s)-served by addressing behavioral/physical health and basic needs. Intensive Care Coordination services, which consist of specific activities in collaboration with the person(s)-served, are delivered in accordance with the person-centered care plan. The Crisis Therapist and Intensive Care Coordinators work closely with the treatment team and make referrals to appropriate services.

The Crisis Therapist provides outreach in the community in effort to meet the needs of those in crisis.

Community Mental Health Treatment (CMHT) offers stabilization, therapeutic, case management and medication management services for offenders (referred by Probation and Parole) who are suffering from marked impairment in social and/or occupational functioning due to a mental illness. Services are delivered by a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) and in accordance with the person-centered care plan.

The Mental Health Clinics team meets as often as necessary to carry out decision making responsibilities. The results and attendants of these meetings are documented.

Community Mental Health Liaison (CMHL) offers assistance to law enforcement and the courts by providing better access and resources to those individuals who need behavioral health treatment. The CMHL can screen potential and existing consumers for behavioral health needs and follow their cases to monitor treatment. The CMHL also provides and coordinates training with law enforcement and other agencies regarding mental health to improve services and reduce stigma.

When I first started in the Residential Treatment program, I had a hard time trusting anybody. The Staff there never stop trying to get through to me and even found ways to encourage me by participating in mudder run with me and several others. After leaving the program my level of trust with the staff there was much different and it gave me a motivation I had never had before. What I learned from this program has helped me to understand the importance of trusting others, but it has given me the tools to work hard and find more productive and healthy things to do with my time outside of using drugs or alcohol and hope that each person that comes through the program is able to open their minds long enough to be able to take in the same motivations that I left with.